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Journal of the Science of Food and... Jun 2024Prunella vulgaris L., a medicinal and edible homologous plant, is often used to treat conditions such as breast hyperplasia, thyroid enlargement and lymphatic...
The anti-hyperplasia effect of polysaccharide from Prunella vulgaris L. on mammary gland hyperplasia in rats through regulation of the AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathway and intestinal flora.
BACKGROUND
Prunella vulgaris L., a medicinal and edible homologous plant, is often used to treat conditions such as breast hyperplasia, thyroid enlargement and lymphatic tuberculosis. Research has demonstrated that it is particularly effective in the treatment of mammary gland hyperplasia (MGH). However, the material basis and mechanism of its efficacy are still unclear.
RESULTS
Our results showed that in rats with MGH, polysaccharide from Prunella vulgaris L. (PVP) led to a reduction in the levels of estradiol, prolactin and malondialdehyde, while simultaneously increasing the concentrations of progesterone (P), superoxide dismutase (SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) and catalase (CAT) in the serum. In addition, results obtained from 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that PVP had the capacity to increase the richness and diversity of the intestinal microbiota in MGH rats, as well as modify the structure of the microbiota. Correlation analysis revealed that the levels of P, SOD, MnSOD and CAT were positively associated with Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Faecalibaculum and Clostridium, while negatively correlated with Turicibacter.
CONCLUSIONS
The mechanism of PVP in treating MGH might be through inhibiting the phosphorylation of the AKT-FOXO3a signaling pathway and then activating the expression of downstream antioxidant enzymes, such as MnSOD and CAT. At the same time, PVP could restore intestinal flora homeostasis in rats with MGH by regulating the flora changes of Allobaculum, Romboutsia, Clostridium and Faecalibaculum, thereby reducing oxidative stress in rats with MGH. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
PubMed: 38872513
DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.13652 -
Journal of Pharmaceutical and... Jun 2024Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist with applications as anti-Parkinson drug and prolactin inhibitor. The cabergoline drug product Laktostop® 50 µg/mL is used in...
Cabergoline is a dopamine agonist with applications as anti-Parkinson drug and prolactin inhibitor. The cabergoline drug product Laktostop® 50 µg/mL is used in veterinary medicine for lactation suppression in cats and dogs e.g. during false pregnancy. Recently, during ongoing HPLC stability testing of Laktostop® 50 µg/mL a new oxidation product of Cabergoline was identified. A synthesis starting from Cabergoline was developed, followed by full characterization of the unknown impurity. Preliminary HPLC and LC-MS analyses indicated the unknown impurity as mono-oxygenated product of Cabergoline (Cabergoline N-oxide) that is presumably formed with oxygen by a radical mechanism. Thus, Cabergoline was treated with oxidizing agents such as m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid to afford the desired Cabergoline-N-oxide as a byproduct. After isolation by column chromatography, NMR and LC-MS-MS studies provided evidence that oxidation occurred at the N-allyl nitrogen of Cabergoline to form Cabergoline-N-oxide. © 1905 Elsevier Science. All rights reserved.
PubMed: 38870835
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2024.116282 -
Alternative Therapies in Health and... Jun 2024Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes normogonadotrophic anovulation, where women experience abnormal and irregular ovulations due to dysfunctions in the...
BACKGROUND
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes normogonadotrophic anovulation, where women experience abnormal and irregular ovulations due to dysfunctions in the hypothalamic-pituitary that ensure normal levels of estradiol are maintained. This study aims to investigate the improvement of PCOS symptoms in obese patients after undergoing bariatric surgery.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study at The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University from 2020 to 2022. We recruited 65 females; the inclusion criteria involved patients who were obese and experiencing infertility issues due to PCOS, patients who consented to undergo bariatric surgery, patients who were aged 22 years to 40 years, and patients who had a post-surgical BMI of ≤ 35 kg/m2. We excluded patients with medical disorders and complications, aged 40 years and above, and patients who showed a post-surgical operation BMI of greater than 35 kg/m2.
RESULTS
The patients recorded an average pre-operating BMI of 44 kg/m2 with a mean age of 28 years. Most participants had an average menstrual cycle of 60 to 90 days, with 44% of patients reporting normal menstruation. At 6 months, post-surgery, the average level of prolactin was 11.39 ng/mL, progesterone was 0.4ng/dL, SHBG at 24 nmol/L, estradiol at 24.6 pg/mL, testosterone at 34 pg/mL, LH at 10.2 mIU/ml and FSH at 5.6 mIU/ml.
DISCUSSION
Bariatric surgery enhances a reduction in body weight due to lowering BMI levels of serum and total testosterone. The increased sensitivity to insulin reduces resistance to insulin and enhances regulation of hormones. Ovulation and menstrual cycle were restored in women with PCOS due to weight loss and positive regulation of hormones. Moreover, the effects of chronic low-grade inflammations were eliminated due to a significant reduction in the adipose mass and enhanced metabolic parameters.
CONCLUSION
We observed that bariatric surgery improved PCOS symptoms in obese women. Bariatric surgery combined with sustainable weight loss, shows promising improvements in menstrual regularity, hormonal balance, fertility and pregnancy rates for obese women with PCOS, potentially offering them a valuable option for achieving conception.
PubMed: 38870509
DOI: No ID Found -
Innere Medizin (Heidelberg, Germany) Jul 2024The widespread use of diagnostic imaging has led to an increase in the incidence of pituitary tumors. The majority of incidentalomas are hormone-inactive (HI) pituitary... (Review)
Review
The widespread use of diagnostic imaging has led to an increase in the incidence of pituitary tumors. The majority of incidentalomas are hormone-inactive (HI) pituitary microadenomas. The most common clinically relevant pituitary adenomas are prolactin-secreting, followed by HI, and far less common are growth hormone (GH)-, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)- and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)-secreting adenomas. Pituitary adenomas are usually benign, although aggressive growth and invasion occurs in individual cases. Very rarely, they give rise to metastases and are then termed pituitary carcinomas. All pituitary tumors require endocrine testing for pituitary hormone excess. In addition to the medical history and clinical examination, laboratory diagnostics are very important. Symptoms such as irregular menstruation, loss of libido or galactorrhea often lead to the timely diagnosis of prolactinomas, and hyperprolactinemia can easily confirm the diagnosis (considering the differential diagnoses). Diagnosis is more difficult for all other hormone-secreting pituitary adenomas (acromegaly, Cushing's disease, TSHoma), as the symptoms are often non-specific (i.e., headaches, weight gain, fatigue, joint pain). Furthermore, comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and depression are such widespread diseases that pituitary adenomas are rarely considered as the underlying cause. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment have a significant impact on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. Therefore, the role of primary care physicians is very important for achieving an early diagnosis. In addition, patients with pituitary adenomas should always be referred to endocrinologists to ensure optimal diagnosis as well as treatment.
Topics: Humans; Pituitary Neoplasms; Diagnosis, Differential; Adenoma; Prolactinoma
PubMed: 38869654
DOI: 10.1007/s00108-024-01729-9 -
BMC Urology Jun 2024Male infertility has become a global health problem, and genetic factors are one of the essential causes. Y chromosome microdeletion is the leading genetic factor cause...
BACKGROUND
Male infertility has become a global health problem, and genetic factors are one of the essential causes. Y chromosome microdeletion is the leading genetic factor cause of male infertility. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between male infertility and Y chromosome microdeletions in Hainan, the sole tropical island province of China.
METHODS
We analyzed the semen of 897 infertile men from Hainan in this study. Semen analysis was measured according to WHO criteria by professionals at the Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, where samples were collected. Y chromosome AZF microdeletions were confirmed by detecting six STS markers using multiple polymerase chain reactions on peripheral blood DNA. The levels of reproductive hormones, including FSH, LH, PRL, T, and E, were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
RESULTS
The incidence of Y chromosome microdeletion in Hainan infertile men was 7.13%. The occurrence rate of Y chromosome microdeletion was 6.69% (34/508) in the oligozoospermia group and 7.71% (30/389) in the azoospermia group. The deletion of various types in the AZF subregion was observed in the group with azoospermia, whereas no AZFb deletion was detected in the oligozoospermia group. Among all patients with microdeletions, the deletion rate of the AZFc region was the higher at 68.75% (44 out of 64), followed by a deletion rate of 6.25% (4 out of 64) for the AZFa region and a deletion rate of 4.69% (3 out of 64) for the AZFb region. The deletion rate of the AZFa region was significantly higher in patients with azoospermia than in patients with oligozoospermia (0.51% vs. 0.39%, p < 0.001). In comparison, the deletion rate of the AZFc region was significantly higher in patients with oligozoospermia (3.08% vs. 6.30%, p < 0.001). Additionally, the AZFb + c subregion association deletion was observed in the highest proportion among all patients (0.89%, 8/897), followed by AZFa + b + c deletion (0.56%, 5/897), and exclusively occurred in patients with azoospermia. Hormone analysis revealed FSH (21.63 ± 2.01 U/L vs. 10.15 ± 0.96 U/L, p = 0.001), LH (8.96 ± 0.90 U/L vs. 4.58 ± 0.42 U/L, p < 0.001) and PRL (263.45 ± 21.84 mIU/L vs. 170.76 ± 17.10 mIU/L, p = 0.002) were significantly increased in azoospermia patients with microdeletions. Still, P and E levels were not significantly different between the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of AZF microdeletion can reach 7.13% in infertile men in Hainan province, and the deletion of the AZFc subregion is the highest. Although the Y chromosome microdeletion rate is distinct in different regions or populations, the regions mentioned above of the Y chromosome may serve an indispensable role in regulating spermatogenesis. The analysis of Y chromosome microdeletion plays a crucial role in the clinical assessment and diagnosis of male infertility.
Topics: Humans; Male; Chromosomes, Human, Y; Infertility, Male; Chromosome Deletion; China; Sex Chromosome Aberrations; Adult; Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Luteinizing Hormone; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Azoospermia; Prolactin; Oligospermia; Testosterone; Estradiol; Semen Analysis
PubMed: 38867229
DOI: 10.1186/s12894-024-01503-x -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024In addition to testosterone, various endocrine hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol, may be involved in erectile function. However,...
In addition to testosterone, various endocrine hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and estradiol, may be involved in erectile function. However, the role of these sex hormones in the erectile function of men without hypoandrogenism remains unclear. This cross-sectional study included 398 community-dwelling men without hypoandrogenism. The participants were categorized into the non-ED and ED groups. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between ED and serum sex hormone levels, including total testosterone, DHEA-S, estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and prolactin. Among the 398 men, 66 (17%) and 332 (83%) were categorized into the non-ED and ED groups, respectively. In the multivariable analyses, serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels were significantly associated with ED (odds ratio [OR]: 0.996, P = 0.030; OR: 1.082, P = 0.002; respectively), whereas serum total testosterone, LH, FSH, and prolactin levels did not demonstrate significant association. After adjusting for age, none of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, serum plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 levels, and skin advanced glycation end-products levels demonstrated significant correlation with serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels. In conclusion, lower testosterone levels did not affect ED in men with normal testosterone levels, whereas serum DHEA-S and estradiol levels were significantly associated with ED.
Topics: Humans; Male; Erectile Dysfunction; Middle Aged; Cross-Sectional Studies; Gonadal Steroid Hormones; Adult; Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate; Estradiol; Testosterone; Luteinizing Hormone; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Aged; Prolactin
PubMed: 38862562
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64339-3